Page 82 - Library Manual

CvSU Library Manual of Operations

Section 4. Disaster Preparedness

Disasters are generally unexpected events with
destructive consequences to a collection. Therefore it is vital
for any library to take every possible precaution to prevent
the occurrence of an unavoidable disaster. A disaster
planning is an essential element of preventive conservation.
It is also necessary to identify any external and internal
threats that might cause problems for the collection and
measures to meet those threats. Without an existing disaster
preparedness plan or crisis management plan, the librarians
will be unable to act quickly to organise salvage efforts. It
should be mandatory for every library to have a written
disaster preparedness and response plan containing
description of emergency procedures, emergency supplies
list, disaster response outline, conservation experts, list of
staff volunteers, list of external contacts and names,
addresses, home and work telephone numbers of personnel
with emergency responsibilities. Besides, libraries should be
provided with fire and smoke detection system and
automatic fire extinguishing system. Use of match stick or
open flame and smoking should strictly prohibit inside the
library. Inflammable materials and chemicals should not be
stored inside the stacks. The telephone number of the fire
office should be visibly and clearly exhibited. Location of
emergency gate must be clearly indicated. The electrical
defects and faults should be set right in time.

Section 5. Responsibility

Preservation and conservation of library materials are
concern of all library staff and all users of the CvSU.

The University Librarian is responsible for determining
conservation priorities for all archival records, as well as the
nature and extent of conservation and preservation
treatments to be carried out.

Section 6. Selection of Library Materials for Preservation

Materials are selected for preservation according to the
following priorities:
a. significance/value/rarity of the material;
b. amount and kind of usage; and

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